Welcome

For 100 years, on behalf of dairy farmers and the dairy community, National Dairy CouncilTM (NDC) has been committed to research and education. It has supported groundbreaking scientific research, including Dr. E.V. McCollum’s, who first made the scientific connection between dairy foods and good health in 1917. It was Dr. McCollum who suggested milk be fortified with vitamin D.

NDC has helped provide science-based education about the nutrition and health benefits that dairy foods provide and helped connect people to the hard working dairy farmers who provide nutrient-rich milk. Like our farmers, NDC aims to help foster healthy products, healthy people, healthy communities and a healthy planet – now and for future generations.

Since its inception NDC has played a part in the launch of pioneering programs that have benefitted generations of children and adults, including the nutrition education program in 1929 that helped form USDA’s National School Lunch Program, the Guide to Good Eating in 1941 that predated any other food grouping system; and the “Big Ideas” comprehensive nutrition education program in 1971 for grade school students.

Comprised of registered dietitians and nutrition research and communication experts across the country, today NDC carries on that tradition through our continued focus on dairy goodness as well as by partnering with organizations that want to join our mission to bring to life the dairy community’s vision of a healthy, joyful and sustainable world.

Are investigators from institutions outside the United States able to apply to the National Dairy CouncilTM(NDC) for funds?

Yes. NDC funds research both domestically and internationally.

Does NDC accept pre-proposals that are on topics outside the specific on-going calls?

No. Submitted pre-proposals must meet the topics described in the specific calls.

What is supplemental support and how do you qualify?

NDC recognizes that there may be instances when additional support is needed to enhance existing non-NDC funded projects. Therefore, principal investigators with an existing grant from a non-NDC source, either pending or active, may apply for supplemental support if:

The project is evaluating the effects of dairy foods or ingredients on health

The investigators would like to add additional arms/analyses to a study that was not specifically examining dairy on health

In recognition that investigators receive awards from other organizations throughout the year, Supplemental Support pre-proposals are accepted year-round. Pre-proposals can be submitted before funding from the non-NDC source has been officially approved. However, if NDC requests a full-proposal, documentation of the approved funding must be provided at the time of submission.

How many pre-proposals are received each year? How many full proposals are ultimately requested each year?

The amount of pre-proposals received varies from year-to-year. On average, NDC receives 100 product-based and 80 nutrition-related pre-proposals each year. Full proposals are requested from about 20% of the pre-proposal submissions.

How long does it typically take to review pre-proposal submissions? Can I contact NDC about the status of my pre-proposal?

Yes. NDC conducts a general solicitation in late June or early July of each year and typically has other, more specific calls for pre-proposals during the year. Additionally, Supplemental Support pre-proposals are accepted year-round.

If my proposal is funded, will I be able to present and publish the results?

Presentation at scientific meetings and publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal is strongly encouraged

If my proposal is funded, when would the project start?

While NDC initiates projects throughout the year, most projects funded from the general solicitation begin in January of the following year. It is important to note that the funding provided by NDC is in the form of contracted research agreements. Thus, a Memorandum of Agreement must be executed between the investigator’s institution and NDC before NDC can initiate funding of a research application.

Does NDC fund research on other types of milk (e.g., human or goat)?

No. Established in 1915, NDC comprises a staff of nutrition science researchers, registered dietitians and communications experts dedicated to educating the public on the health benefits of consuming milk and milk products throughout a person’s lifespan.

Are pre-proposal decisions final?

Yes. The decision made by NDC scientists on pre-proposal applications is final. Also, the decision notice received by principal investigators will not contain a detailed explanation regarding the decision.

Does NDC fund research that proposes to use a proprietary product or ingredient as the intervention?

NDC was established under the leadership of America's dairy farmers and works with and through industry, academic, government and commercial partners to drive pre-competitive research in nutrition, products and sustainability. Accordingly, NDC does not typically fund research projects that utilize proprietary products or ingredients in order to ensure that any inventions arising from NDC-funded projects will be utilized in a manner consistent with the interest of the dairy industry.